The Faculty of Clinical Informatics has embarked on a landmark Core Competency Project, which is a vital first step towards professionalising clinical informatics in the UK by defining key attributes for accreditation.

Project funding has been received from NHS Digital and work has commenced on the initial Core Competency Project, led by Dr Alan Hassey, Chair of the Education and Standards Standing Committee and elected Council Member of the Faculty.

“I’m delighted to be involved in this important first piece of work for the Faculty of Clinical Informatics. This will be the first step and enabler in our longer-term strategy. Developing and then being able to accredit against this set of core competencies will take us closer to professionalising clinical informatics for those working in health and care.”

– Dr Alan Hassey, Chair of the Education and Standards Standing Committee and elected Council Member of the Faculty

Dr Lydia Jidkov, who is Teaching Fellow for NHS Digital Academy at Imperial College, has been independently contracted as Project Manager. The project will draw on the multi-professional expertise of the Faculty to ensure that the outputs are academically and professionally robust.

“It’s excellent to see the Faculty beginning the vital work towards professionalising clinical informatics. There is much to be done for all the health and care professionals represented by the Faculty, across all four UK nations and beyond, and this is the first of many important pieces of work that we are set to undertake.”

– Dr John Williams, Chair of the Faculty of Clinical Informatics

For further information and requests to interview the Chair, please contact Philippa Murrey, Communication and Membership Officer, Faculty of Clinical Informatics:philippa.murrey@fci.org.uk or +44 (0)7538 253410.

Background for Editors

The Faculty of Clinical Informatics has been established as the professional membership body for all clinical informaticians within the UK. The Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Physicians on behalf of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges have been key in its initiation and the NHS Paperless 2020 Building a Digital Ready Workforce programme has provided supporting resources.

The intention is for the Faculty to be inclusive, catering for the needs of all clinical informaticians who are registered with a regulatory body such as the General Medical Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, and the Health and Care Professions Council. It has set itself objectives up to 2020 including; establishing clinical informatics as a recognised profession, developing professional standards, supporting revalidation, providing training and accreditation for individuals and courses, and supporting recruitment and careers in clinical informatics.